Capitals co-Owner Ted Leonsis "has made himself fully
accessible via e-mail" and "has actively solicited ideas for
the management of the franchise from the public,
particularly among Caps fans," according to Eric Fisher of
the WASHINGTON TIMES, who reports that Leonsis has
"personally responded to more than" 700 e-mails since his
purchase of the team in May. Leonsis is also a "regular
participant" on an Internet mailing list, capitals@his.com,
"often posting requests for comment on various ideas he is
considering for the team." Leonsis' "queries" have included
subjects such as marketing, team finances and player
personnel. He also conducted a contest earlier this summer
offering a Caps jersey to the person who could "most closely
guess" the team's total ticket revenues last season. The
answer was $15.4M and the winner "was only $100,000 off."
Leonsis: "It is ironic that with all the media outlets
available -- TV, cable, radio, on line -- that fans feel
more and more disconnected from the players and management.
There is a barrier that has been built between these
constituencies, and I intend to break it down." Leonsis can
be reached at WashingtonCaps@aol.com (WASH. TIMES, 7/21).
